Is salt healthy or not?

 
Is salt healthy or not - Olivia McFadyen

Should you be eating more or less salt?

I get it, it can seem confusing - on one hand we’re told to reduce our salt intake but then you can health practitioners like me saying “eat more salt”.

There’s a huge difference between refined salt (your typical table salt and what’s added into processed foods) and unrefined salt. Essentially, one is processed and one is natural. One stalls health and is linked to chronic disease and one supports health.

Firstly, we NEED salt. In fact, I often talk about water as the key pillar of health, and you can think of salt as her little sister. They go together.

Good quality drinking water and unrefined salt are the ultimate duo.

How much salt do you need?

The National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) advises that Australian adults should aim to consume no more than one teaspoon (5 grams) of salt a day (or 2,000mg of sodium a day) in order to prevent chronic disease. 

Now, most Aussies consume double that, which is frightening.

Salt is hidden in nearly all processed and fast-foods. Imagine opening your pantry cupboard or fridge - anything in a glass jar, cardboard box or package has been processed and typically has salt (sodium) added to it. Given most people eat packaged and processed foods each day they are over consuming refined salt and under consuming unrefined salt.

Refined salt is directly link with high blood pressure, a key risk factor for stroke and heart disease, which is one of the leading causes of death in Australia.

Refined salt is also linked with fluid retention, weight management issues, cramps, headaches and more

For optimal health, I recommend adults add 1/2 teaspoon of unrefined Himalayan salt/sea salt to your food and/or water each day, whilst reducing hidden salt sources and refined salt.

Refined salt vs unrefined salt

Refined salt is just that - refined. It’s when salt is treated with very high temperatures and nasties are added to it, including anti-caking agents (stops the salt clumping together) and even some heavy metals like

In the refining process over 80 trace nutrients and essential nutrients, like magnesium, potassium and zinc are destroyed by the heating process, with only two minerals left - sodium chloride. It’s easy to see why refined salt is such a nutrient-poor and inflammatory food!

Why we need unrefined salt

  • Improves energy - supports thyroid function

  • Helps mood - supports neurotransmitter & hormone production

  • Help balance blood pressure

  • Supports healthy insulin response

  • Aids digestion (supports stomach acid which helps breakdown protein and nutrients)

  • Supports healthy immune function

  • Helps regulate histamine response

  • Supports cellular health (water and minerals need to get into cells to nourish cells)

  • Reduces fluid retention

  • Reduces cramps and headaches

With all of that in mind, happy salting!

Please be conscious that if you increase your salt intake you want to do that alongside increasing your intake of good-quality drinking water. Remember, they’re the ultimate duo when used safely. You can join the very popular eCourse, Water for Life, for FREE here

If you have any blood pressure issues, high blood pressure or kidney issues please seek advice from your medical practitioner.

 
Olivia McFadyen